Sustainability
and inconsistent collection and recycling regimes across the country. At the moment in the UK, we only recycle 50 per cent of the plastic packaging that is put on the market and we send 61 per cent of our plastic packaging abroad for ‘processing’ amid much doubt as to what actually happens to it. The key message here is that while important, recycling is on the bottom rung of the ladder of the reduce- reuse-recycle approach.
The Waste and Resource Action Group’s
(WRAP) UK Plastics Pact has identified key plastics that need to be eliminated and have highlighted substitutes or alternatives that can be used. It is worth taking time to look at how you can make changes within your business through taking some easy steps. It is estimated that in the UK, we throw
away 30 per cent of the food that we buy. With care homes are increasingly conscious of food and food waste, it is worth checking out WRAP Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency Experts, which has some excellent materials that can help support targets and goals. Guardians of Grub is another initiative that has many tools to help businesses with savings calculators, all designed to help reduce waste.
Conclusion
There is a strong business case for entering the race to net zero but it is also important to communicate what you are doing as, aside of being the right way to do business, it can add significant value to your home’s appeal for residents, friends, and family. Increasingly, we are all waking up to the implications and concerns as to the impact of climate change and making choices accordingly.
The reality is that no-one has all the
answers or a simple blueprint of how to address the challenge of climate change. More than in any other space, the importance of collaboration is key - find yourself industry bodies, best-practice groups, use widely available resources and work together trialling solutions for your industry.
The old saying, ‘together we are stronger’, is never truer than when considering the impact of how, by working collaboratively across the industry with partners, suppliers, and manufacturers, we can help tackle climate change, support our environment, represent best practice, and importantly make a real difference before it is too late.
Lee Sheppard
Lee Sheppard is apetito’s director of corporate affairs & policy. Lee founded apetito’s award-winning care home division, which now works in partnership with around 600 care homes. He chaired the Sustainability, Food Waste and Procurement Standards group as part of the government’s Hospital Food Review and sits on the Food and Drink Federation’s Net Zero Steering group. He is currently driving apetito’s wider ethical and sustainable strategy which includes an industry leading net zero commitment.
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February 2022
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
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